The East Mendip Way, a scenic long-distance footpath traversing the serene Somerset countryside, has recently undergone significant improvements thanks to a generous donation from a local quarry. Spanning from the historic Bishop’s Palace in Wells, passing through the northern outskirts of Shepton Mallet-where it intersects the Windsor Hill Greenway-and extending all the way to Frome town centre, this route is a popular choice for walkers and nature lovers alike.
Recently, a vital spur along the path, following the Egford Brook in Vallis Vale west of Frome, was temporarily closed to facilitate much-needed repairs. Thanks to Heidelberg Materials, which used stone from its nearby Whatley Quarry, this section has now reopened, boasting resurfaced paths and enhancements aimed at boosting biodiversity and enriching the experience for dog walkers.
The resurfacing project, supported collaboratively by the Environment Agency, Natural England, and The Wild Trout Trust, mirrors previous upgrades undertaken near Cheddar Gorge. The use of stone from Whatley Quarry has helped create a more stable, erosion-resistant surface along the brook, particularly where it meets the Mells River.
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New features have been installed to manage water flow within the brook, benefiting river habitat for fish and preventing erosion. Notably, dedicated “dog-dipping” areas have been established, providing safe spots where dogs can paddle without causing damage to the riverbank.
In addition, numerous trees along the riverbank were coppiced to bolster the bank’s stability. The cut material was repurposed innovatively to safeguard the river while offering habitats for fish and invertebrates.
Alex Hemming, principal landscape architect at Heidelberg Materials UK, remarked, “We understand the popularity of this footpath with dog owners. The creation of dog-dipping zones aims to protect the riverbank from erosion while ensuring that dogs still have access to the water.”
Future plans from Heidelberg Materials include installing educational boards to inform visitors about the riverbank’s ecology and the wildlife it supports.
These enhancements improve connectivity through to the village of Great Elm, where walkers and cyclists can link up with the Colliers Way active travel route leading to Radstock, part of National Cycle Network route 24.
The Colliers Way concludes at Bucklers Bridge, where the Frome’s Missing Links campaign successfully completed approximately one mile of safe, off-road cycle paths extending to Elliotts Lane in April 2025. Efforts are ongoing to secure landowner consent and funding to finalise the northern ‘missing link,’ which will stretch from Elliots Lane to Coalish Lane, including a safe crossing over the A362.
The campaign has prepared a detailed report for ‘phase four,’ outlining an ideal route bridging the gap between the current path terminus at Whatcombe Fields/Spring Gardens and Great Elm. This plan is being presented to major funders such as the National Lottery and Highways England, with collaborative input from Greenways and Cycle Routes and the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.
Key challenges include constructing the necessary crossings over the A362, Mells River, Coalash Lane, and Jacks Lane-projects anticipated to be costly and complex.
Additionally, the campaign is applying for a licence from Network Rail to route the path alongside the freight railway line near Frome. Aligning the route here would help reduce construction costs and maintain gentle gradients suitable for users.
Despite funding challenges, the dedicated volunteers behind the project remain committed to progressing as much as possible while actively seeking financial support to complete these critical sections.